Shopping center demolition to make way for Lake Harbour project

All the tenants have moved from a small shopping center that sits on Lake Harbour Drive near U.S. 51 North in Ridgeland.

The city of Ridgeland purchased the Ridgeland Plaza property, which is located behind the former Ridgeland City Hall and distinguished by a green awning, for about $1 million from Rainbow Development Corp. and relocated all the tenants. 

A liquor store, a coin-operated laundry, Tower Loan and a title loan group were occupants of the center.

“We will be tearing down that building soon,” said Director of Public Works Alan Hart. “We hope to tear it down before the end of this year.”

The relocation is part of the project to widen Lake Harbour Drive and improve the left turn lane stacking.

“We have long lines for all directions due to the popularity of the intersection as well as the continuation of the road to Highland Colony Parkway,” Hart said. “Currently, wait times during peak flows exceed the capacity.”

Construction to improve the left turn lane movement from Lake Harbour to southbound U.S. 51 is expected to begin next year.

The Ridgeland mayor and board of aldermen approved a motion during their meeting on Feb. 15 to enter into an agreement with Baker Engineering to design the intersection improvements.

One hundred forty thousand dollars was transferred from the city’s general fund to the engineering line item of the project fund to establish the project fund. Hart said that $140,000 is for the engineering portion of the project.

The total cost of the project is about $2.9 million, which is funded in part by a grant from the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District through the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The project is expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete.

In September 2020, Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons joined Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee and other officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Lake Harbour Drive in Ridgeland.

The $14.7 million project provided for the construction of Lake Harbour Drive Extension from Highland Colony Parkway to U.S. Highway 51 in Ridgeland. The project included a new bridge over I-55 along with the grade, drain and paving of a new boulevard section of Lake Harbour Drive and provide an at-grade railroad crossing.

Improvements for traffic congestion, emergency services, economic development and commercial activity were made, and a 10-foot wide multi-use trail installed.

Eutaw Construction Company handled the job that was funded by the Federal Highway Administration and appropriated by the Mississippi Department of Transportation. 

The total cost of the project was $28 million, which included right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation and engineering fees.